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| Much-awaited: The World Cup in Brazil next summer is in under 250 days from now. |
So here are my predictions for the World Cup next year (note, these opinions and predictions may fluctuate, but I will be speaking the truth):
Brazil will NOT win the World Cup - Slightly controversial one, especially considering they are the host nation and a strong footballing side aswell, but I highly doubt they'll win because they don't have the 90-minute work-rate or intensity to win the important matches against teams such as Italy and Germany, who will be desperate to beat Spain and win their first European trophy in over 10 years.
I say this because even though they have a good side overall, they are too heavily reliant on Barcelona's attacking forward Neymar to score their goals, without him they are not as clinical or dangerous in attack.
The competition:
The defending champions Spain have an ageing squad, and seem to be losing their touch slightly after analysis of performances from previous years in comparison to recent games in both the Confederations Cup and friendlies against teams from across the world.
The likes of clinical striker and Manchester City man Alvaro Negredo will be key to whether Spain retain their world title crown or not in Brazil, but the hot climate and freak weather conditions may prove a factor for Xavi, Iniesta and Co.
Italy were the runners-up at Euro 2012 last year, and they produced an impressive side with the likes of Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli and Giovinco all in their side. However, they seem too reliant on Balotelli to perform, and get dominated by the bigger sides like Spain when it gets to the main stages of the tournament - so they will probably get far but it is doubtful they would go all the way and win it.
Argentina have never been favourites for a World Cup, and despite a solid side with Tevez, Mascherano, Lavezzi, Banega, Di Maria and the world's best player in Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on their team.
They have struggled to get past the quarter-finals, with no squad depth and they tend to rely on Lavezzi and Messi to score their goals instead of playing good team football. If either is not on top form, they will not win, it's as simple as that.
Messi needs Lavezzi to feed him the ball, Lavezzi needs someone to support him when he passes on the wings with one-touch football. Most of the other players are defensive minded, and Di Maria is inconsistent for his country.
Germany are one of the best footballing sides in the world when it comes to producing and developing young talent:
Reus, Schurrle, Ozil, Draxler, Hummels, Neuer - the list goes on and on for days, but they have always fell one step short of the final in major tournaments in recent years despite a strong attacking squad with a solid defence.
I have a feeling that 2014 could be their year if the team sticks together and doesn't concede cheap goals against sides they should be comfortably beating, while they perform well against the top-seeds such as Spain, Italy and Argentina in the knock-out rounds.
My prediction? Either them or Spain for the World Cup.
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| Even though Brazil are the favourites on home soil, they struggle in major tournaments. |
I say this because even though they have a good side overall, they are too heavily reliant on Barcelona's attacking forward Neymar to score their goals, without him they are not as clinical or dangerous in attack.
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| One-man team? Neymar is the key to Brazil's squad, and if one of their rivals can expose him then the hosts will not be as much of a threat come June. |
The competition:
The defending champions Spain have an ageing squad, and seem to be losing their touch slightly after analysis of performances from previous years in comparison to recent games in both the Confederations Cup and friendlies against teams from across the world.
The likes of clinical striker and Manchester City man Alvaro Negredo will be key to whether Spain retain their world title crown or not in Brazil, but the hot climate and freak weather conditions may prove a factor for Xavi, Iniesta and Co.
Italy were the runners-up at Euro 2012 last year, and they produced an impressive side with the likes of Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli and Giovinco all in their side. However, they seem too reliant on Balotelli to perform, and get dominated by the bigger sides like Spain when it gets to the main stages of the tournament - so they will probably get far but it is doubtful they would go all the way and win it.
Argentina have never been favourites for a World Cup, and despite a solid side with Tevez, Mascherano, Lavezzi, Banega, Di Maria and the world's best player in Barcelona forward Lionel Messi on their team.
They have struggled to get past the quarter-finals, with no squad depth and they tend to rely on Lavezzi and Messi to score their goals instead of playing good team football. If either is not on top form, they will not win, it's as simple as that.
Messi needs Lavezzi to feed him the ball, Lavezzi needs someone to support him when he passes on the wings with one-touch football. Most of the other players are defensive minded, and Di Maria is inconsistent for his country.
Germany are one of the best footballing sides in the world when it comes to producing and developing young talent:
Reus, Schurrle, Ozil, Draxler, Hummels, Neuer - the list goes on and on for days, but they have always fell one step short of the final in major tournaments in recent years despite a strong attacking squad with a solid defence.
I have a feeling that 2014 could be their year if the team sticks together and doesn't concede cheap goals against sides they should be comfortably beating, while they perform well against the top-seeds such as Spain, Italy and Argentina in the knock-out rounds.
My prediction? Either them or Spain for the World Cup.
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